Ok, a while back Sugaree posted a thread in the knitting section:http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=13996.0regarding a shawl she saw and wanted to make. She doesn't crochet, and because I said it looked pretty easy, she asked me to make her one. And I did. And I sent it to her without writing down what I'd done. But I remembered, and made another, and THIS time, I kept notes. Sadly, the link to the original "Free People" shawl no longer seems to be working. I guess they sold out. But I found it here:http://www.bananamoononline.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2802&MMP=1It's the grey bit. It isn't nearly so pretty as it looked in the other link, but I think it has to do with the color under it, and the way that model is standing.

So, I've been quite pleased with this shawl, and several other knitting non-crocheters have asked me to make them one, which I'm glad to do. But, I also am really excited about my first-ever own pattern (even if it was based on another item) and wanted to share. I hope you can make heads or tails of it. I wrote it as I went, and haven't actually tried to USE it. If you have any questions, direct them to me and I'll answer them as best I can. I've never really USED many patterns before, so I'm sure there are some technical aspects of writing the pattern that I missed, and I'm also sure there were some things it was difficult for me to explain, and I have no idea if there is some standard protocol for them. It should be noted that the pattern and this prototype are not identical. I made some refinements on the second model.

Row 2: Dc into first sc, *ch, skip one sc, dc into next sc.* Repeat from * to * across. Ch 1.

Row 3: Sc across row, increasing 5 stitches evenly spaced. Ch 3.

Row 4: Tr into first sc. Skip 1 sc. *3 tr into next sc. Skip 2 sc.* Repeat from * to * across row, to last sc. Tr 2 in last sc. Ch 1.

Row 5: Sc 1 in each of first 2 tr. *1 Sc in space between 2 groups of 3 tr. (This sc is worked in place of working it into the next tr. The tr is worked around rather than into. *sigh* I hope I'm explaining this correctly. If it is confusing, you can just work sc into every tr across row instead. Working it as written just makes the groups of tr more pronounced.) Sc in next two stitches.* Repeat from * to * across row. 2 sc in last stitch. Ch 3.

Row 6: Tr into first sc. Skip 1 sc. *3 Tr into next sc. Skip 2 sc.* Repeat from * to * across row, to 2nd to last sc. 2 tr into 2nd to last sc. 1 tr into last sc. Ch 1.

Row 7: Sc across row as above, working one sc in space between tr groups, every third sc. Ch 3.

Row 8: Tr in first 2 sc. *Skip two sc. 3 tr in next sc.* Repeat from * to * across row to 3rd sc from end. 3 tr in 3rd sc from end. Skip 1 sc. 2 tr in last sc. Ch 1.

Row 9: Sc across row as above, working one sc in space between tr groups, every third sc. Ch 2.

Row 10: Dc in each sc across row. Ch 2.

Row 11: Work 3 dc into first dc. Skip 1 dc. Slip stitch in next dc. *Ch 3 and work 3 dc into same stitch as slip stitch. Skip 1 dc. Slip stitch in next dc.* Repeat from * to * to end of row, ending with a slip stitch in last stitch. Tie off and weave in ends.

The finishing touch is to weave a ribbon or two through the double crochet row up top. (Row 2.) Note: A good stiff ribbon in just over 1" works best. Filmy organza ribbons would look lovely if they stayed flat, but they don't. Velvet, stiff satin, etc would work well. I used a nice asian-inspired multicolor satin brocade ribbon. The inspiration used both satin and velvet. I've also used some extra yarn to knit up a giant matching flower, then used that with a hair stick as a brooch to hold the shawl closed. Looks lovely.

That is very cool! It reminds me of the Paris Loop that was all over the knitting boards for a while and my own attempt to recreate one when I had Paris Loop-envy. I think, looking at yours, I should maybe have made mine a little looser and a little longer. As it is it rides up like you wouldn't believe and I'm always inches away from wearing a giant yarn necklace.

Thanks, Hudelei. This thing crochets up in about 2 hours, 3 if you've got a toddler. It's about as easy as they come. It is also easily adjusted for size just by chaining more or less. All the rest of the pattern can really be worked out very easily to adjust for a different number of chain stitches. Especially once you understand what the pattern is actually trying to accomplish. The yarn is only about $10 for both skeins (unless you got it on sale, like I did for my second model) and I had enough left over from my second version to make this:http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=18086.0Anyway, this is really a project that requires next to no commitment, because it goes so quickly, so I recommend just going out and starting it, without agonizing over whether you should or not, and then you'll be finished before you have a chance to change your mind.

Krazigal, the prototype in the pic took about 4 hours of actual work. The second version, that I wrote the pattern off of, took me about 3 hours of work, but that includes pauses for toddler duty. I think the thing would work up in about 2 hours, if you could work on it solid.

Well, yes. Saying it that way is easier than writing out sc 1 in x stitches, 2 sc in next sc, etc. I actually also couldn't remember how many stitches between my increases, and that's acceptable in professional patterns, so I went with it. If I recall it's every 7 stitches or somewhere around there. (Maybe a couple are 7, and a couple are 6.) But don't just add them in randomly. They should be evenly spaced.